District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7881
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T22:38:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 7881: District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act
Purpose
This bill aims to ensure that grand and petit jurors (groups of citizens who decide indictments or trial verdicts, respectively) in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia receive the same compensation as those serving in federal district courts. It seeks to promote fairness and parity in juror payments between D.C.'s local court system and the federal judiciary.
Key Provisions
- Fee Alignment: Amends Section 11-1912(a) of the District of Columbia Official Code to set fees and expenses for D.C. Superior Court jurors at rates matching those under Section 1871 of Title 28, United States Code (which governs federal juror compensation, typically including daily attendance fees and mileage reimbursements).
- Repeal of Outdated Law: Eliminates Section 15-718 of the District of Columbia Official Code, which previously outlined separate, potentially lower, juror fee structures.
- Effective Date: Changes apply to fees and expenses paid starting on the first day of the first fiscal year after the bill's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Replaces D.C.-specific juror fee rates with direct equivalence to federal standards, eliminating discrepancies that may have resulted in lower pay for D.C. jurors.
- Removes a redundant or conflicting provision (Section 15-718), streamlining the legal framework for juror compensation in D.C.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: D.C. residents serving as jurors may receive higher or more standardized compensation, potentially increasing participation and reducing financial burdens on lower-income individuals.
- On Government Agencies: The D.C. Superior Court and local government may face increased budgetary costs for juror payments, requiring adjustments in funding allocations. No direct impact on federal agencies or international relations is anticipated.
- Broader Effects: Could lead to more equitable jury service across jurisdictions, possibly improving the diversity and reliability of jury pools in D.C. local cases.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Jurors in D.C. Superior Court: Primary beneficiaries through equalized and potentially improved compensation.
- D.C. Courts and Government: Responsible for implementing and funding the new rates.
- Federal Judiciary: Indirectly involved, as their compensation model serves as the benchmark, though no changes to federal operations are proposed.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Harmonizes D.C. local law with federal standards, reducing potential inconsistencies in a jurisdiction unique to the U.S. (D.C. operates under congressional oversight per Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution).
- Constitutional: Reinforces equal treatment in judicial processes without altering core constitutional rights like jury trials under the Sixth Amendment.
- Political: Addresses a niche equity issue in D.C. governance, potentially highlighting ongoing debates about D.C.'s autonomy and federal integration; no major controversies are evident from the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-03-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-09: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E198)
- 2026-03-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act — issued 2026-03-09 — PDF (2 pages)